Introducing PowerCal a new kind of Power Meter

[dracs]

Another question:

 

If I were to connect this HR strap to a Garmin Edge 500, what power data will be available on screen during a ride?

 

All the power data functions that is available on the Edge 500 or just some of them or will most calculations and averages only be visible in 3rd party software after the workout is downloaded?

+1 on that query,

And, re software - does one need any particular software to usefully use / analyse power data? Does any software come with the Powercal?

[BicyclePower]

A quick question,

 

how does this device differ from the sporttracks gps2power plugin that calculates power?

 

http://www.zonefives...=gps2powertrack

 

 

I don’t know of this software, i assume you can only get this "power" reading once you download your HR file into this software???

 

If this is the case the PowerCal provides an instant real time power output so they not quiet in the same league

[BicyclePower]

Another question:

 

If I were to connect this HR strap to a Garmin Edge 500, what power data will be available on screen during a ride?

 

All the power data functions that is available on the Edge 500 or just some of them or will most calculations and averages only be visible in 3rd party software after the workout is downloaded?

 

no the PowerCal is just like any other Power Meter i.e. Power Tap it will provide an instant power based off HR then your typical other metrics ave, max, TSS, IF etc etc so you will be able to view your current, ave, and max while on the ride and not have to wait till you are home and download the data

[BicyclePower]

+1 on that query,

And, re software - does one need any particular software to usefully use / analyse power data? Does any software come with the Powercal?

 

no software come with the PowerCal, software depends on what computer you are using, Garin use Training Centre, CycleOps use Power Agent and Bryton use (i dont know)

 

most of these computers can then be used with WKO+ a US $200+/- option but well worth it.

 

once you have downloaded the ride you can then export it and once in .csv format it can be opened in more other software packages so it really depends on what cycling computer you are using.

[cadenceblur]

This approach seems very interesting , however i have a polar and can therefore not sync with the power cal.

What is the cheapest ant+ device out there that i could get that would enable me to use the power cal?

currently have a polar rs800, with the GPS, so already have all the other info i require .

[BicyclePower]

This approach seems very interesting , however i have a polar and can therefore not sync with the power cal.

What is the cheapest ant+ device out there that i could get that would enable me to use the power cal?

currently have a polar rs800, with the GPS, so already have all the other info i require .

 

i think our CycleOps Joule 1.0 is the cheapest ANT+ Power Compatible computer on the market, R1645.00 for the computer excl HR then R1495.00 for the PowerCal incl speed (you will need a speed sensor as the Joule 1.0 is not GPS)

 

so a total of R3 140.00

 

this will then give you eveything you need, software would be the Power Agent software that comes free with all CycleOps computers as well as a download cable.

 

it will provide you metricas such as TSS, IF, NP and plenty more that will help you understand the full benifits of Power.

[cadenceblur]

Okay, to enable this, I will have to wear two HR straps, I assume there won't be any interference issues?

[fandacious]

I don’t know of this software, i assume you can only get this "power" reading once you download your HR file into this software???

 

If this is the case the PowerCal provides an instant real time power output so they not quiet in the same league

 

 

correct - it is a post ride analysis.

 

However, except for "current power output", the rest of the power calculations are all post ride anyways, so theres really not much diff?

[NotSoBigBen]

So I guess the measurement and recording of this info is one thing and now taken care of ....... what to do with it takes somewhat more knowledge?

 

Reading on the 'net but damn so much to digest .....

[BicyclePower]

correct - it is a post ride analysis.

 

However, except for "current power output", the rest of the power calculations are all post ride anyways, so theres really not much diff?

 

No totally different, while you are riding you would like to view ave powers TSS IF etc etc if you can only view this post ride are you really training with power and optimising training??

 

i.e. if you need to ride 100TSS points how will you know where you are if you are unable to view this while out on the bike, this is where the value of the PowerCal comes in, it provides an instant passing strategy just as a Power Meter would.

[BicyclePower]

So I guess the measurement and recording of this info is one thing and now taken care of ....... what to do with it takes somewhat more knowledge?

 

Reading on the 'net but damn so much to digest .....

 

yip this is correct, i am planning to be able to put something up on our web page soon that will help take the important info and put it into 1 document easy to read and understand however we just need to find the time to do this.......

[NotSoBigBen]

yip this is correct, i am planning to be able to put something up on our web page soon that will help take the important info and put it into 1 document easy to read and understand however we just need to find the time to do this.......

 

Now that would be very useful for us 'new' entrants to the world of power! No pressure but will be keeping an eye out for it

[cadenceblur]

i think our CycleOps Joule 1.0 is the cheapest ANT+ Power Compatible computer on the market, R1645.00 for the computer excl HR then R1495.00 for the PowerCal incl speed (you will need a speed sensor as the Joule 1.0 is not GPS)

 

so a total of R3 140.00

 

this will then give you eveything you need, software would be the Power Agent software that comes free with all CycleOps computers as well as a download cable.

 

it will provide you metricas such as TSS, IF, NP and plenty more that will help you understand the full benifits of Power.

 

 

I will only require a device to enable the Power cal to work / communicate, so I will not require a speed sensor, I already have speed, cadence, and GPS through my polar, so what cost would I be in for in that case?

Edited August 17, 2012 by cadenceblur

[Cyclewizz]

Okay, to enable this, I will have to wear two HR straps, I assume there won't be any interference issues?

 

Please advise.

 

Why would you want to wear 2 HR straps ?

 

This PowerCal gives a HR & Power reading.

The ANT+ computer will pick up 2 different pieces of information.

 

So you only need to wear the PowerCal strap unless you still want info for your Polar software.

[cadenceblur]

Yes.I would definitely prefer to still have the info available via Polar.

[Cyclewizz]

Yes.I would definitely prefer to still have the info available via Polar.

 

Then you'd have to wear 2 x HR and ride with 2 x computers.

Doubt there would be any interference.